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The highlight of the sale is an iconic Luis Estévez designed gown, Mr. Estevez’s interpretation of the dress featured in the John Singer Sargent painting “Madame X.” In the original painting, American born Madame Pierre Gautreau posed for Sargent’s famous painting, which caused a huge scandal at the time. In 1960 Dina Merrill posed in Luis Estévez’s design of the gown for fashion photographer Milton H. Greene for Life magazine.

Luis Estevez's interpretation of the "Madame X" dress in the famous John Singer Sargent painting

"We are thrilled to have this wonderful dress by such a well known designer as Mr. Estevez, as the highlight of our Couture and Vintage sale." Kate La Chance, Kaminski Auctions Vintage Specialist

(PRWEB)May 25, 2012

Kaminski Auctions invites you to the Vintage and Couture Auction, June 7th, Thursday at 6:00pm at the auction gallery at 117 Elliott Street, Rte 62, Beverly, Massachusetts. A cocktail hour is planned from 5:00 to 6:00 pm prior to the auction and bidding will start promptly at 6:00pm.

The highlight of the sale is an iconic Luis Estévez designed gown, Mr. Estevez’s interpretation of the dress featured in the John Singer Sargent painting “Madame X”. In the original painting American born Madame Pierre Gautreau posed for Sargent’s famous painting, which caused a huge scandal at the time. In 1960 Dina Merrill posed in Luis Estévez’s design for fashion photographer Milton H. Greene for Life magazine. This dress also appears in an article in The Daily.com on Thursday, May 24th ,2012http://http://www.thedaily.com/page/2012/05/24/052412-arts-style-estevez-barker-1-6/

In a chapter written by Charlie Scheips on Mr. Estevez, in the book "American Fashion" published in 2007, he states “Milton Greene’s classic shot features the American actress and Post Cereal heiress Dina Merrill regally attired in Cuban-born, American Fashion designer Luis Estévez’s low-cut black crepe tribute to the famous Sargent painting. Originally published in Life magazine in 1960.”

The prosperity of the 1950s in America saw the rise of the American fashion industry and Luis Estévez was a pillar of that new foundation. His name was synonymous with designers like Mainbocher, Pauline Trigere, Arnold Scaasi, and Norman Norell.

In 1955 Mr. Estévez began designing under his own name. In 1956, after marrying Prince Rainier of Monaco, the actress Grace Kelly chose a design by Estévez for her first royal portrait. In 1968 the designer moved to Southern California and was a favorite of Hollywood’s royalty, and designed gowns for First Ladies Nancy Regan and Betty Ford.

Kate La Chance, Kaminski’s vintage clothing specialist has put together a unique and diverse collection spanning 1950s styles, 1970s retro shift dresses, Bodin knits for vintage collectors to contemporary designer clothing, including something for every taste. Designer labels such as Chanel, Gianfranco Ferre, Christian Dior and Ferragamo, are included in the sale as well as, costume jewelry, handbags, shoes and hats. For more information please call 978-927-2223 or go to to http://www.kaminskiauctions.com